| |
Rights to work should not be based on a date of birth
• I AM writing in support of Jill Banerjee, the librarian forced to retire at 65 (Case shows duplicity and muddle of retirement law, July 24).
Age Concern Camden wants to highlight this ageism as a major issue that needs to be addressed in order to ensure the fair treatment of older people.
It is absurd to think that as soon as you turn 65, the knowledge and skills that you’ve built up over the years are no longer valued and needed. Our right to work should not be based on our birth certificates, but on skills and motivation.
Heyday, a subsidiary of Age Concern England, has mounted a legal challenge against the UK government which reached the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg earlier this month. The judgment is expected by the end of the year and, if successful, it will mean that people forced to retire can claim compensation for age discrimination and unfair dismissal.
We had only recently raised this matter as a policy issue with Camden, asking the council to move ahead of the law, set an example and offer its older staff the chance to work on beyond 65.
Ms Banerjee, or anyone else in this situation, can get help and advice from Age Concern – call 020 7239 0420.
GARY JONES
Chief Officer, Age Concern Camden
|
 |
|
| |
